Gomphonema valves are symmetrical to the apical axis, and asymmetrical to the transapical axis. In girdle view, frustules are wedge-shaped (cuneate). Striae are not crossed by longitudinal lines, as in Gomphoneis. A stigma may be present or absent on one side of the central area. An apical porefield is present and bisected by the terminal raphe.

Many species grow on mucilaginous stalks and can be found in nearly every habitat type within circumneutral lakes and streams of North America.

Cite This Page: Spaulding, S., and Edlund, M. (2009). Gomphonema. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved August 02, 2015, from http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/taxa/genus/Gomphonema

Jüttner, I., Reichardt, E. and Cox, E.J. (2004).Taxonomy and ecology of some new Gomphonema species common in Himalayan streams.
Diatom Research 19(2): 235-264.

Kociolek, J.P. and Kingston, J.C. (1999).Taxonomy, ultrastructure, and distribution of some gomphonemoid diatoms (Bacillariophyceae: Gomphonemataceae) from rivers in the United States.
Canadian Journal of Botany 77: 686-705.10.1139/cjb-77-5-686

Kociolek, J.P. and Stoermer, E.F. (1991).Taxonomy and ultrastructure of some Gomphonema and Gomphoneis taxa from the Upper Laurentian Great Lakes.
Canadian Journal of Botany 69: 1557-1576.10.1139/b91-200

Reichardt, E. (2015).The identity of Gomphonema clavatum Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyceae) and typification of five species of the genus Gomphonema described by C.G. Ehrenberg.
Diatom Research.10.1080/0269249X.2015.1009386

Reichert, E. (2015).The identity of Gomphonema clavatum Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyceae) and typification of five species of the genus Gomphonema described by C.G. Ehrenberg.
Diatom Research 30(2): 141-150.10.1080/0269249X.2015.1009386